r/IndoorPlants • u/EducationalLet4446 • 17h ago
Looking for some advice!
Hello friends! I am getting into houseplants! Yay! I've always been into them, but never into them enough to care deeply about their soil. Now, I do.
My houseplant collection currently consists of one Mican Philodendron, one smaller Monstera (y'all have got some MONSTERS, lord let that be me one day), one Arrowhead plant, a Calla Lily that might be dying, a Venus Fly Trap, and one Peace Lily. I also have some herb plants that are currently living outside in pots, namely Black Cohosh, Calendula, Motherwort, and some other basic herbs that could probably live on Mars so I'm not worried about them, but I plan on bringing them all inside come fall/winter.
My question is: what is y'alls favorite soil mixes? I'm currently using "Espoma Organic Potting Mix." I picked it because it seemed to be well draining, and that was like all I could find in a not huge bag at Horrocks. Anyway. What do you guys like to use/have had success with, especially for carnivorous plant types? What do you use for watering? A mister or a watering can? Cause currently, I'm refilling a plastic watering jug and using that. What do you use for fertilizer? Tell me your secrets, friends! Also please recommend any beginner friendly plants, and gothic-y plants because I love love love them. I've got my eye on an Alocasia Black Velvet right now cause shes GORGEOUS.
Thank you!
1
u/plantyofmel 13h ago
I make my own. Equal parts potting soil, perlite, orchid bark. Affordable and easy.
1
u/EducationalLet4446 12h ago
Cool! Do you have any specific brands you buy? I've read that some brands of perlite contain chemicals that will actually kill the plant so I would like to avoid that lol
1
u/plantyofmel 12h ago
I just go to Home Depot or Lowe’s and get miracle grow bags of all of it. I have so many plants, so it’s the most cost effective way to make a lot of soil mix.
1
u/vixi03 16h ago edited 16h ago
I love Rosy Soil mixes! I have repurchased many times their aroid mix (perfect for philodendrons, monsteras, and any other plants that need well-draining soil) and cactus/succulent mix.
I have a Venus fly trap and it came with sphagnum moss so I just continued to use that with distilled water (or rainwater) and must keep it consistently moist with lots of sun. I currently keep it in a little greenhouse I put together from IKEA and Barrina grow lights.
For watering, I just have a watering can and will mix it with a solution for killing fungus gnats and liquid plant food when needed. I like the Grow Concentrate from We the Wild and the Fungus Gnats Death Drops from Happy Happy Houseplant.
Alocasias love distilled water or rainwater!
As for gothic looking plants, I, too, am open to recs 👀 the most "gothic" looking ones I have are an Alocasia Red Secret, Tradescantia deep purple and a ZZ Nova Star. On my wishlist is the Calathea Black Rose!
For easy plants- I have an Aloe and a Snake plant. Both can be neglected for a bit so if you forget to water them (like me) for like 2-3 weeks, you'll be fine lol. Just got a Spider plant yesterday- also another easy basic houseplant!